"Google Hour," or more accurately, Google's approach to employee innovation, refers to a practice where employees are given 20% of their time at work to work on their own projects. This concept is where "Genius Hour" originated from.
Understanding the 20% Time
Google's 20% time policy, a key element of what might loosely be called "Google Hour", is about fostering innovation.
- Encouraging Innovation: It allows employees to explore new ideas and concepts that may not fall directly within their assigned responsibilities.
- Employee Empowerment: It empowers employees to take ownership of their projects and pursue their passions, boosting morale and creativity.
- Potential for Breakthroughs: Many successful Google products and features have emerged from this 20% time, demonstrating its effectiveness.
How it Works (in Theory)
While the exact implementation may vary, the basic idea is that:
- Employees Identify Projects: Individuals propose projects they believe will benefit the company.
- Allocation of Time: If approved (implicitly or explicitly), employees dedicate approximately one day a week (20% of a standard work week) to these projects.
- Resource Utilization: Employees can leverage company resources to develop and test their ideas.
- Sharing and Implementation: Successful projects are often integrated into existing products or launched as new initiatives.
Example of 20% Time Success
A prominent example stemming from the 20% time is Gmail.
Criticisms and Evolution
It's important to note that while the 20% time concept is widely known and associated with Google, its practical application has evolved over time and faced criticism. Some argue that it's no longer as prevalent as it once was, and that employees may face pressure to prioritize core responsibilities. Despite any changes in its implementation, the underlying principle of encouraging employee innovation remains a valuable lesson for other organizations.
